A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
